IT/telecom industry seeks techies at junior, mid level

Industry was on a recruitment spree during the Jan-Jun 2015 period, hiring skilled software engineers and app programmers wired to think innovatively

Amrita Premrajan, TimesJobs.com

The TimesJobs RecruiteX half-yearly recruitment report for Jan-Jun 2015 brought out that 71 per cent of the total jobs at junior and middle level in the IT/telecom industry were for tech functions. This rise in jobs for these profiles is due to the evolution of SMAC and IoT technologies.

These are widening the horizon for new product ideas and increasing the competition among large and small tech solution providers to be the first to go to the market with innovative solutions. And building innovative products in turn requires innovative engineers.

RecruiteX data showed that at both the experience levels, the specific tech job roles in demand were software engineers and app programmers.

Junior level lacks innovation mindset

Talking about the challenge of finding techies who are the right fit at the junior level, Gerald Menezes, regional senior director-Human Resources, Juniper Networks, said: "There is a huge pressure on the supply side with not enough innovation in this pool. Unfortunately, our colleges don't teach engineering; they teach coding. And unless students know the power of engineering, there's absolutely no differentiator."

Talking about the skill that would be in demand the most, Gerald said: "Most languages will continue to be in demand. However, people who know how to convert these into solutions are the ones who will take the lead and drive growth in the industry."

Adding to this, Vinok Sequeira, GVP-Human Resource, JDA Software, said that at the junior level, apart from hard skills, techies would be expected to bring passion, communication, high energy, great attitude and learning ability.

Techies with leadership capability needed at mid level

At the middle level in Jul-Dec 2014, only 30 per cent of the total jobs were for tech roles. But in Jan-Jun 2015, the industry was primarily seeking techies, claiming 71 per cent job share. And unlike in Jul-Dec 2014, where project managers were most in demand, this time, software engineers and app programmers were sought-after.

Highlighting the kind of talent mix the industry is looking for at the middle level, Vinok said: "The middle management is the most crucial as it translates the senior management mandate/strategy to the levels below. Hence, it is essential to have home-grown talent who are not just technically sound but also demonstrate leadership capabilities in their domains."

"Some of the essential skills are communication, critical thinking, relationship building and high levels of execution," he added.

In Jan-Jun 2015, the recruitment trend at junior and middle level revealed that the industry was on a hiring spree for tech professionals than for project management/sales/marketing roles. Industry experts say this trend is set to continue with tech solution providers looking at intensifying their process of building tech solutions.

While hard skills are a must, the industry will continue to focus on hiring thinkers and innovators who have a strong customer connect and can think out of the box.

The writer can be contacted at amrita.premrajan@timesgroup.com
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